Everyone buying a home in Istanbul asks the same question — and very few know the concrete answer: “Is this building earthquake-resistant?” Fresh paint, a stylish lobby or a “new build” label is not the answer. Resilience lives in the design, the documents and the build quality. Here are seven concrete things to check before you buy.

1. Building Permit and Occupancy Certificate

Start with the building permit and the occupancy certificate (yapı kullanma izin belgesi). A building without an occupancy certificate has never been officially confirmed as completed according to its approved design. Verify both through the title deed and municipal records; “the certificate is coming soon” is not a document.

2. Construction Year and the Applicable Seismic Code

Turkey’s seismic codes have been tightened dramatically over the years. Which code a building was designed under is one of the strongest indicators of its resilience: a structure designed to the current seismic code is subject to far stricter rules on materials, reinforcement detailing and design. The right question to ask the seller is not “how old is the building?” but “which seismic code was it designed under?”

3. The Soil Survey Report

The same building behaves very differently on different ground. In a sound project, a geotechnical soil survey has been carried out and the foundation design follows it. In new projects you are entitled to see the soil survey report; if you can’t get a clear answer, treat that as a warning sign in itself.

4. Has the Structural System Been Altered?

Especially in resale homes, one of the most dangerous situations is a structural system that has been cut, thinned or removed during later renovations. Be particularly careful with buildings whose ground floors have been converted into shops or opened up with wide spans. Every intervention in the structural system detaches the building’s earthquake behavior from its design.

5. Concrete Quality and Building Inspection

The invisible hero of resilience is concrete. In buildings constructed under current regulations, concrete is tested by independent laboratories and the process is monitored by building inspection firms. If you are buying a new project, ask who the inspection firm is and request the reports — a reputable developer will not hesitate to share them.

6. Seismic Performance Analysis (for Existing Buildings)

For older buildings, the clearest answer comes from a seismic performance analysis carried out by experts: concrete samples are taken, reinforcement is scanned, and the building is modeled digitally against the current code. If the result is unfavorable, Turkey’s urban renewal framework provides a defined path forward — and we can assess your building free of charge.

7. The Builder’s Track Record

Documents matter, and so does the company behind the building: completed projects, the condition of delivered buildings, site discipline and transparency. A builder who welcomes your questions, shares technical documents and gladly shows you around their projects is one of the best references resilience can have.

Buildings That Rise with Trust

At Fazza Group, we deliver every project in full compliance with the current seismic code, with auditable processes and first-class workmanship. In Maltepe, Noura Prime combines intelligent planning with an earthquake-resistant structure; in Kartepe, Thema Derbent pairs a steel structural system with nature-friendly architecture.

Would you like a technical eye on your buying decision? Schedule a free consultation — our expert team will answer your questions and show you our projects in person.